Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia on Saturday alleged serious security lapses in strongrooms storing election materials for three constituencies - Demow, Sivasagar and Nazira - following the recent assembly polls. In a letter to Election Observer Narasimhaguri T L Reddy, Saikia said the arrangements at rooms in a government school in Sivasagar district violate core guidelines of the Election Commission of India. He claimed the issues raise concerns about the safety of sensitive poll-related materials, reports PTI.
Elections to Assam’s 126 assembly constituencies were held on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4.
Saikia alleged that “photographic evidence” shows major flaws in how the rooms are secured. He said two doors of the strongrooms have only a single padlock on one side, while the other door appears to be shut from inside without proper locking. According to him, this setup violates the Election Commission’s requirement of a double-lock system with controlled access.
“This physical state is in direct and alarming contravention of the Election Commission of India’s strict directives designed to prevent unilateral or unauthorised access to sensitive election materials,” he said. He added that the absence of a proper dual-lock system makes the mandated shared-key mechanism ineffective.
The Congress leader also alleged a breakdown of perimeter security and surveillance at the site. He said guidelines require the innermost security ring to be guarded by central forces and the outer layer by state armed police, along with round-the-clock deployment. He claimed these measures were not being followed.
Saikia further alleged that CCTV surveillance, which should cover entrances, corridors and sealed strongroom doors, was either missing or inadequate. He said such lapses weaken safeguards meant to ensure transparency and integrity in the electoral process.
He also objected to a statement by the district administration that dismissed his concerns and said no formal complaint had been received. Saikia said he had already written to the Chief Electoral Officer and the Chief Election Commissioner on April 14, highlighting the same issues.
He argued that unsecured or loosely protected rooms near EVM strongrooms compromise the entire security setup. Urging immediate action, he asked the observer to take note of the “documented lapses” and ensure the sanctity and credibility of the election process are maintained.
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